Psalm 10

Title: The Wicked Described and Destroyed

Author and Date: or Anonymous

Key Verse: Psalm 10:15

Outline

A. Lament (verse 1). B. The wicked described: the contempt of the godless (verses 2-11). C. The wicked destroyed: the cry of the godly (verses 12-18).

Notes

Verse 1: Psalm 10 continues the acrostic arrangement that was begun in . Psalm 10 starts with the Hebrew letter Lamedh (“L”) and ends with Tau (“T”) with some letters missing in between. Psalm 9 and Psalm 10 are united together in the (LXX) and the Latin .

Verse 2: The sin of “pride” and rebellion is the basic problem of the wicked. Note the evidence of pride running from verse 2 to verse 13.

Verse 3: The covetous or greedy man “renounceth, yea, contemneth Jehovah” (ASV) meaning he “curses and spurns the Lord” (NASV, ESV). “Contemn” means to spurn or despise someone. See also verse 13. There is an alternate reading in the second half of this verse: “and blesses (praises) the covetous (greedy)” (see the KJV, NIV, NLT, ASV margin).

Verse 4: The wicked man says: “There is no God”. He is a practical atheist, acting as if there is no God (see also Psa. 14:1 and 36:1).

Verse 7: A portion of this verse is quoted by Paul in :14 to make his point that all have sinned, both Jew and Gentile.

Verse 12: The prayer of the psalmist, “Arise, O Jehovah”, are like the words of a traditional battle cry. See Psalm 9:19 and the notes on :7.

Verse 15: The words “Break thou the arm of the wicked” are words of imprecation (see also verse 2b). The psalmist is calling upon God to punish the wicked. See the notes on :10.

Verse 17: The “meek” in this verse are the opposite of the ones with “pride” in verse 2-13. The “meek” humbly submit to the Lord’s word and will.

Questions

1. What questions does the psalmist ask the Lord and why (verse 1)?

2. What is the basic problem or sin of the wicked (verse 2)?

3. What attitudes and actions do the wicked have toward the following persons?

God (verses 3-4, 11, 13) –

His adversaries (verse 5) –

Himself (verse 6) –

Speaking to others (verse 7) –

The innocent and helpless (verse 8) –

The poor and helpless (verses 9-10) –

4. What does the psalmist request of the Lord (verse 12)?

5. What will the Lord do to the wicked (verses 13-14)?

6. What do the helpless do and what has the Lord been to them (verse 14)?

7. What does the psalmist request be done to the wicked (verse 15)?

8. How is the Lord described and what happens to the nations (verse 16)?

9. What has the Lord heard (verse 17)?

10. What will the Lord do for the fatherless and oppressed (verse 18)?

Applications for Today

1. In times of trouble and wickedness, the righteous ask: “Why does God allow this?” and “Where is God in all this?” (verse 1). Unlike man (Lk. 10:30ff), God will get involved in times of trouble. God will be there for the righteous. What does Paul say about this (Rom. 8:31-39)? What does the author of Hebrews say about this (Heb. 13:5-6)?

2. The sin of pride and rebellion is the basic problem of the wicked (verses 2-13). What does Proverbs 16:18 say about pride?

3. The wicked say: “There is no God” (verse 4). What happens to people who refuse to admit the existence of God in their life (Rom. 1:28-32)?

4. When we say things in our heart, the Lord will still hear it (verses 6, 11, and 13). The Lord sees all and hears all. What will God examine in the judgment day (Rom. 2:16)?

5. In wicked times we need to commit ourselves to the Lord (verse 14). What did Peter say to do in times of suffering (1 Pet. 4:19)?

6. When it looks like the wicked are winning the day, we must remember that “Jehovah is King for ever and ever” and he will ultimately triumph in the end (verse 16). How does Paul describe God (1 Tim. 1:17)?

7. The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous (verse 17). What does John say about the prayers of faithful Christians (1 Jn. 5:14-15)?